Washington, DC – OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates condemns the approval of the contested citizenship question on the 2020 Census by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which oversees the Census Bureau.

In response to the Administration’s request for the instatement of a question on the 2020 Census that asks individuals for their citizen status, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Monday night confirmed that the question would be included. The last time this question was posed was during the Red Scare of the 1940s-‘50s– which further concerns advocacy groups given the recent misguided comments by CIA Director Wray about Chinese students. This decision is detrimental to the accuracy and integrity of the count – instilling fear in not only undocumented individuals, but also those who are lawful permanent residents.

“There has been wide-ranging and consistent opposition to the inclusion of the untested citizenship question. The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community has already experienced threats by the government to their families, regardless of immigration status. The incorporation of this question only further increases their fear and distrust,” said Vicki Shu, Vice President of Public Affairs. “Census data is the crux of how monetary resources are allocated to communities; it decides how many congressional representatives represent states. The inclusion of this question further prevents individuals from underserved communities from completing the form. This citizenship question is unnecessary and we implore Congress to put a stop to this misguided policy.”

OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national organization of community advocates dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).